President-elect Donald Trump announced on Wednesday his selection of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera as the new U.S. Ambassador to Panama. According to the reports of Leaders team, the appointment follows Trump’s provocative remarks over the weekend, where he suggested the United States should reclaim control of the Panama Canal, accusing Panama of exploiting American ships using the waterway.
“I am pleased to announce that Kevin Marino Cabrera will serve as the United States Ambassador to the Republic of Panama, a Country that is ripping us off on the Panama Canal, far beyond their wildest dreams,” Trump declared. As per the sources of Leaders team, while praising Cabrera’s contributions to his campaign in Florida, Trump expressed confidence that Cabrera would “do a FANTASTIC job representing our Nation’s interests in Panama!”
The announcement came amidst Trump’s escalating criticism of the canal’s operation. On social media, Trump accused Panama of taking advantage of American vessels and hinted at Chinese military involvement in managing the waterway. “Merry Christmas to all, including to the wonderful soldiers of China, who are lovingly, but illegally, operating the Panama Canal,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social network.
Trump’s remarks also included broader territorial ambitions. He suggested that the U.S. should absorb Canada and Greenland, referring to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a “governor” and stating, “The citizens of Greenland want the U.S. to be there, and we will.”
In an unusual twist, Trump mentioned discussing with Canadian hockey legend Wayne Gretzky the possibility of running for Canadian Prime Minister. While Gretzky reportedly declined, Trump urged Canadians to rally behind him.
These comments, while divisive, align with Trump’s broader goals of renegotiating U.S. trade policies. His remarks on the Panama Canal and territorial expansion seem to function as negotiating tactics, particularly in his calls to lower fees on American ships passing through the canal.
The president-elect’s Christmas messages also targeted domestic issues, including criticism of President Joe Biden’s commutation of death row sentences. Trump vowed to reinstate the death penalty, writing, “I refuse to wish a Merry Christmas to those lucky ‘souls’ but, instead, will say, GO TO HELL!”
Whether Trump’s comments on territorial expansion and the Panama Canal reflect genuine policy intentions or strategic bluster remains unclear. His transition team has yet to clarify his motivations, leaving both critics and supporters debating the seriousness of his statements.
